Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Fifty Six

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I couldn't find Molo after that, and my legs were too weak to follow Will-o-Wisp when I asked her for help. Plasma was the one to find me instead, taking me back to our room, and letting my legs recover.

"You can stay here, I'll go to the war council." Plasma told me.

"No, no. I need to go, I'm the leader of this team after all." I already felt useless as it was, so I needed to do something. At least with what was going on with my legs, it was suppressing my cures and allowing me to think more clearly, small blessings and all.

"Well just let your legs recover a bit more, then I'll help you there." She said, passing me a pillow.

Taking the pillow I let myself flop down on the couch again. "She's going to be alright, isn't she?"

"Molo? I doubt anything can keep her down. She just needs time, that's all." Plasma told me.

"I hope so." Was my reply to her attempt to cheer me up..

The door to the hallway opened up, and the familiar voice of Chain Lightning came from the other side. "Seriously, you can just get some sleep in the medical room, why come up here."

"Better bed… and I don't like the smell of that place." Cold Trails said as he hobbled in.

The pegasus had two crude prosthetics where his missing hooves used to be, and a stump in the place of a wing. As he turned, his eyes locked with my own.

For a brief moment it was silent, but Chain Lightning trotted in, looking annoyed. "Oh, it's you. Not only did we lose another Plasma rifle, but that power armor you recovered is mostly useless now."

"Chain, stop." Cold protested.

"No I will not! I mean, look at you. What are we all supposed to do now that you're grounded? She was the one in charge, she should take responsibility for this!" Chain protest.

But Cold stopped her with a rather heavy jab to her side, causing the mare to flinch. "That's enough! You need to go back and help the other ponies. Trust me, I'll be fine. Anyway, it's, you were not there, the situation had gone beyond our predictions and I made a judgment call. Just like last time, this is all on me."

Chain let out an audibly annoyed huff. "Fine! I got enough on my plate as it is. Between helping out the medical tents and keeping the Enclave Remnants from just fucking off… " she took a deep breath, and as she continued, her voice cracked a little. "You getting grounded like this is just something we didn't need right now!"

"I know, I know. But you need to stay strong, since as of now, you're the top ranking officer, as I'm W.I.A." He said calmly.

Chain glared at Cold, saying, "this is not fair, I don't want to be in charge. I was just a damned medical student that was working for my military scholarship! " Her glare turned to me. "And you… You…" she then sighed, "you better make all this bullshit worth it!" Chain then trotted back out of the room.

Cold Trails sighed as he closed the door. "Sorry about her. She just got spooked when she saw me like this. The poor mare already lost most of her friends in the last few months, and now the pegasus here wants her to lead them since she is the ranking officer. "

"Why can't you lead them?" I asked.

"For one, they see me as one of the assholes who got them into this mess, being an G.P.E. officer after all." He said solemnly, but then huffed before saying. "Second, word got around that we are in a relationship, and some of the Remnants are not fond of race mixing."

"Anti-race mixing is a stupid, but not uncommon sentiment out in the wasteland. Even some chapters practice it, including my own." Plasma said.

"How far Equestria has fallen." Cold said with a long sigh, then trotted over to, each step clearly a struggle. Finding a spot on the opposing couch, he then flopped down himself. "They told me that you got that way because of Flyright."

I lifted a bandaged leg. "Ya, and got cooked to the bone… literally."

"Then you're lucky to be alive." Cold looked at his missing hoof. "I should have been there. I should have stopped her."

"And I should have been prepared for Tripwire. If I had not lost my cool, or waited for everypony to come with me, then our situation would likely not have gone to shit as it had." I said back to him, then sighed. "So, how are you holding up, and shouldn't they have been able to fix your legs?"

"Unfortunately too much time had passed for hydra to do anything. And since my hooves and wings were cut by magic, Coriander told me that technically my parts are still attachable if I ever found them. But I ain't holding out hope for that. I bet Flyright has already thrown them in a fire out of spite." Cold spread his one wing, and looked at the stump of the other. "Strangely, I still feel them. Even when I know they're gone. Anyways I'll survive this, I must." He then moved the leg with the missing hoof. "Also this isn't as bad as it looks. Well ya, the hoof is gone, but Coriander also said that making a fake hoof is far easier than the whole leg. Also easier to learn to trot on."

"He's… not wrong." Plasma added. "Sometimes knights would come back severely injured. Such as stepping on landmines, and losing a hoof or two. It was never long before they back out on the mission. Actually, power armor is capable of moving even with most of your legs gone."

"Really?" Cold asked.

And Plasma nodded. "Pegusi power armor should work the same with modifications, though… I'm not sure about the wings."

He folded his wing back up. "I figured as much. But it's good to know I can trot normally while in my armor." He then looked at my legs. "Will you be okay?"

"Ehh, I don't know, never had to regrow a leg before, much less all four. But Helga told me I should make a full recovery, though the legs are going to be scared." I explained.

His eyes then drifted lower before looking away, which sent a cold chill up my spine. "And the other… problem?"

I moved my forelegs in front of the tatoo, now realizing that I had been not wearing any clothes this entire time and I had been sitting with my legs open.

Closing my legs, It made me wish things were back to how it was, and I was not so embarrassed about not being covered. Well I wasn't actually embarrassed, but that wasn't the problem right now. "It's fine, I think the medicine I'm taking has dulled most feelings in me. So I'm just numb."

"Could use some… help." Plasma said as she sat next to Cold Trails, her eyes glossed over.

We both stared at her for a long moment before she realized what she had just done, and got up with a flushed face. "S… sorry. I need to change my clothes." Plasm then darted off to our room.

"I think she's getting worse." Cold Trails said, and I had to agree.

"Unless we can get some venues root, there's nothing we can do. For her or me. But maybe Rattlebones can help?" I said to him as I got up. "I… think I should get dressed too. We're going to the war council."

"I'll come too." Cold said.

"You sure." I replied.

He shrugged. "Don't know, but you might like the company"

I flashed him a smile and shook my rear. "I know something else I might like… shit, I'm doing it too." With a sigh, I slowly trotted to the back room.

For a second I had to do a double take as I looked at Plasma. The mare was out her jumpsuit, and looked… like me a month ago. She had tight fishnets on all four legs, and underwear that didn't hide anything. All that would be fine if not for the piercings at the dock of her tail. Which was something she didn't have before.

"When did you find the time to get dock piercings?!" I asked her as I found the strength to trot normally right up to her.

Plasma looked shocked as she stumbled over, and lifted her hooves up defensively. "I… it… I mean… c, can you not right now!"

I had no space to complain, even after removing my own piercing, I still remember how good they felt. But one thing I was not going to back up on was the fresh cuts on her forelegs. Grabbing one of the legs, a bit of blood seeped from it. "Fine, I won't ask about why you're trying to look like a Red Light mare, but this! Why are you hurting yourself?"

She pulled her leg out of my grasp, holding it protectively. "Because… It reminds me that I'm not dead. And reminds me of my time with… it helps okay. Okay. So can you just pretend you didn't see any of this."

After a moment I capitulated. "Alright, but at least let me help you with your makeup. You look cheap right now."

Plasma blushed, and then nuzzled me. "Maybe?"

"No, get a hold of yourself." I told her.

She snapped out of it and backed up. "Right, ya. Help me out… please."

Awkwardly I then helped Plasma put on a dress and apply her makeup, all while glad that I was mostly numb to my own desires.

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The war room was as big and intimidating as it always has been, with the four leaders standing over a map as Plasma, Cold and I stood to the side. Spell was on the other side of the room with Prickly Fruit, both seemingly frustrated as they had a privet conversion

Hogan Highborn pushed a black chess piece to a new spot on the large map. "Reports have it that Tripwire's forces are moving to take the pass here. It may be a ploy to keep us spread thin, but I don't like giving him an opening."

"True." Rainbows End said, "but can't we just have a scout watch this area, it's relatively flat land."

"Flat and dangerous." Rattlebones added, placing another black chess piece on the map. "A sniper could do well here."

The three pondered over what to do for a few minutes before Grizzly interrupted. "How about we just have a fly by patrol, or better yet, mine the fucking place?"

They went on about what troops go where for a while longer, the amount of pieces on the map was a bit mind boggling to me. It was all speculation on what was where, and where it was going to go, but I had been assured that the numbers were real. Tripwire had a proper army, and was now spread out, poking and prodding the Ursa's Militia for any weakness. Of which there were many.

It seems that neither side was in position to make any major moves since the last battle, but neither were willing to give up any ground. Despite that, it looked as though we were at a disadvantage. Grizzly had Talons, of whom were not to be underestimated, along with the triblas too. But from what I had heard, Tripwire already had a properly organized and armed army, of which was growing.

We had been able to stop his raider horde, and demolished his ability to get the materials needed for making new mezmetrons, but the Breaking Grounds still stood. Also, the Baelfire Fiends base was being reported as the staging point for the raider's increasingly aggressive raids.

As the four leaders finally finished figuring out who goes where, Plasma Cutter was allowed to take the stage. I had managed to get her in a nicer dress with long sleeves, hiding her own bloody bandages around her fetlocks.

Grizzly eyes her as Plasma then took a step back nervously. "Hogan told me about your plan, but we need to hear more details about it before we commit any resources."

She nodded, looking a bit nervous, and a little twitchy. "R… right. Though this is primarily about obtaining anti-magic pulse grenades, or other like weapons, in hopes they can be used to counter the mind control. But also, possibly, convince the Applejack Rangers to aid us in this fight."

Hogan nodded in agreement. "Having their heavy weapons and armor would help tip the balance in this fight. And we do have reports that a chapter of them have allied themselves with Gwadina."

"True, but they are still Steel Rangers." Grizzly said coldly. "Not to sound like a bitch, Plasma, but your kind have been more willing to shoot at us then help us. Applejack or not, I doubt asking nicely would do anything."

"That I agree." Plasma said as she then passed over a sheet of paper. "That's why I'm invoking our codex, mainly about dangerous technologies, and keeping them out of wastelander's hooves. Also I'll invoke the armaments clause, which allows Rangers to recruit outsiders in times of dire need. If I can convince them of how dangerous this situation is, I'm mostly sure they will come to help."

Rainbows End looked at the document closely, then passed it back to Grizzly. "You also want us to give you negotiation rights on our behalf. That is a lot of power to give you, and at a time we don't have the wiggle room to fuck around. What's stopping you from rejoining them and then putting those rangers in charge of Ursa's Rest?"

"You don't, I'm just asking you to trust me." Plasma pleaded.

"You might have realized this by now, but we don't trust anypony." Grizzly said, then hoofed back the document to Plasma. "But if you can get them to help us, then it's worth the risk. Though I can't give you full negotiation rights. That be stupid. But I can offer room and trade. If they do help us, and they're interested in not being technophile assholes, then I'll let them set up a base here. Full antimony from our rules when on that plot of land. So long as they don't start killing my ponies over toasters."

Plasma smiled. "Thank you."

Grizzly raised a hood. "Don't go running off right now. Unfortunately all sky wagons are in use right now, and we can't have you and the others trotting off for a few days when we need you here at the ready. Also you can't just knock on their door unannounced, I'll send an envoy as soon as I can, if they're even willing to talk, then we will fly you there, but it may take a day or two for those assholes to say anything back. So just sit tight for now."

"I understand." Plasma replied.

Then Spell and Prickly Fruit trotted over to the map table. Prickly reaching over and moving a chess piece on the map. "I had a talk with the unicorn about some strange cases in the fighting. Headless bodies and missing patrols to be exact. He suggests that mezmetrons are already being fielded, and used on us."

Spell Circuit then spoke up. "Likely my brother is experimenting at best, debugging at worst. But if we can capture one of those mezmetrons, I might be able to develop a countermeasure. Also if there's anypony who has had one used on them and were unaffected, we should find out why."

Hogan frowned at this news. "I'll relay this to my Talons. Last thing we need is for that bastard to start turning our own against us."

After a bit, the war council then continued their discussions, most of it about logistics that confused me. Satisfied that there was little else for me to be here, I trotted out with my friends.

Plasma still looked nervous, her eyes darting about. "Well… I got some things to do."

"Are you sure you're okay to go do… things?" I asked her.

She rubbed her leg, clearly knowing what I was referring to. "I'll be fine, and it's none of your business."

"I'm just worried, as your friend I want you to be safe. I mean you're not clearly thinking straight." I told her.

She huffed back at me in annoyance. "I think well enough to do what I just did, so just drop it."

Capitulating, I then said to her. "Fine, but please just come to me if you're having problems. Okay?"

"I… I'll do that." She replied and then quickly scampered off.

"Are you sure she's not on chems?" Prickly Fruit said as she trotted out of the war room with Spell.

Spell shook his head. "Haven't seen her use anything. It's likely the curse is causing her behavior."

Prickly snarled. "Damnable Fiends. If it was not for their fortress, I would have long had them exterminated." She then eyed me. "And you, how's the curse affecting your mind?"

"Still too numb to be horny, fortunately. But there have been moments. Actually I wanted to ask Rattlebones if he has anything to give to Plasma and I to help keep our heads clear." I said to Prickly.

The mare pondered it for a moment. "Father might have something, but curses are tricky things. Sometimes they can develop a life on their own, or be changed if messed with. Best to leave her be until she asks for help. She's a strong mare, I can see it in her eyes."

"Still, when you said she's like a bitch in heat, that's no joke." Cold added.

"And you, not going to lay in bed for days? Losing a wing is a big deal for you pegasuses, right?" Prickly asked Cold.

He let out a sigh. "I've lost worse, far worse."

"I see. Then you're a better pony then most, so don't torment yourself too much." Prickly told him before trotting off.

"Still, I am worried about Plasma." Spell spoke up as he joined us. "Since we got back here, she keeps running off to some unknown place."

"Lets just hope it's nothing, since you are fucking her." I said to the unicorn.

He looked away a bit embarrassed. "H… how did you know? And it was only once."

"Nice." Cold said, slapping Spell on the side and almost causing both of them to fall over.

"She was hanging off of you, and let's not forget about the curse." I said. "Anyways you seem to match each other. You both being egg heads and all."

Spell sighed. "I… don't know. It was just once after all, and she could do better. Anyways, there's just too much going on for me to even think about a relationship."

"Trust me, don't let the opportunity pass you by. You're going to regret it if you do." I told my friend.

"Speaking of which." Cold said as he regained his balance. "We still have that date, remember?"

"Probably when I can feel my legs again." I said with a smile.

Spell frowned at us. "For being the two most physically messed up ponies in our team. You both are surprisingly chipper."

"Med-X" Cold and I said in unison.

Spell face hoofed. "Should have thought as much."

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Cold Trails and I decided to visit Doctor Helga before we turned in for the night, since we were both so fucked up after all. She had returned to her clinic and looked rather exhausted, she was ready to crash on her own medical bed.

"This could have waited until tomorrow, you know that." Helga told us.

"We know, but we might also be running off tomorrow… or well, hobbling in our case." I said.

Helga took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a long drag before blowing the smoke in our faces. "Fine, I did have a few things to tell you two."

She then pointed her cig at Cold Trails. "You got lucky that the portal magically separated your hooves and did not cut them off. From what I read, teleportation accidents can completely disemboweled a pony, or cut them so cleanly that they bleed out in seconds. In this case you may have been able to reattach them if they were recovered. But every day they are separate, the less likely that will happen. So it may be best if you just get used to them being gone. Also, since it's just your hooves, and not the leg, a simple prosthetic boot can help balance you out. But I suggest you avoid any strenuous activities until we get a better prosthetic, which includes sex." She eyed me as she said sex. "Other than that, just keep your Med-x use at a low to avoid addiction."

She then pointed at me. "You on the other claw, like I told you, need to keep moving. I'd tell you to fuck away, but that's another problem."

"I know." I told the griff.

But Helga shook her head. "No you don't. Between Silver, Plasma and you, I've noticed some minor changes that worry me."

I cocked an eyebrow. "How bad?"

"Unknown." She said, "But there is a high chance that the curse is changing your body. Plasma already has swelling in her teats sooner than she should, and increased sensitivity, but I don't know how far it will go. Silver is unchanged, but shes an odd case as it is. You, your still normal, but let me know if something physically changes. "

I nodded and then asked, "And that potion?"

"Ready, but not a good time for it. Wait until you're stronger, otherwise It's just poison." She informed me.

"Why?" I blurted out, and Helga pointed at my legs. "Right."

She then placed a claw on my shoulder. "I understand, but you still have plenty of time. Just focus on getting better, then come back here."

"And do you think I shouldn't take it?" I then asked.

"It's not my place to say." Helga told me. "But trust me, you're not alone. Even Talons sometimes fall prey to this brahmin shit. Fillydelphia actually had a serial rapist among the slavers for a while, drugged mercenaries and had his way with them. Quite a few mercenaries quit Redeye's army because he was being protected by the other slavers. That was until he went after a Talon. That was his last victim. She actually passed through here to get the poison, having the same kind of thoughts as you do."

"And what did she do?" I further asked.

Helga put her claws together to resemble a pistol, and put it under her beack. "She took the potion and was freed from the burden, then committed suicide."

That caused me to feel rather heavy with sadness. "Oh… sorry to hear that."

"Well that's what happens when you force yourself to suffer alone. There isn't anybody to tell you that you're acting crazy. That you start thinking there's only two solutions when there are in fact two hundred solutions." Helga puffed on her cigarette for a moment as she pulled a picture from her lab coat, then said as she looked at the photo. "Trust me, there's worse things in this world than what you're going through. Still bad, but I hope you never find out what they are."

I caught a glance at the photo and saw what looked like a much younger Doctor Helga holding a young griffin kid, the two looking very much happy.

"Alright, then I'll get out of your mane… ehh, plumage. Let you get some sleep." I told Helga as I trotted out.

She said nothing as we left, just continued to smoke as she put the picture away.

Outside the medical office the two of us slowly trotted, no clue were we were going.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" I asked Cold Trails.

He lost pieces of himself and the ability to fly, there was no way he was fine, but I needed to hear it from him.

"Truthfully…" he said, pausing for a moment before continuing. "Probably not. But like I said before, I've lost far worse already, and it's not like I don't deserve this. Actually, if it costs me all my hooves and wings to get Chilly back, I wouldn't even think twice about it."

I thought about it, and if my own family was in danger, I'd probably sacrifice anything to save them. "I can understand that. But what do you plan to do next?"

Cold shrugged. "Not sure, but I do want to keep helping. If Plasma's right, then all I need to do is get in my power armor and I'll be able to move around normally. Except without flying."

A cool breeze brushed over us, causing me to shiver. It was the one thing I hated about no longer having the clouds over us, nights were so much colder now. I then felt Cold Trails stretch over his remaining wing over me.

"Here, why don't we get some sleep. You've had a real long day" he suggested.

"Annoyingly long." I said in agreement.

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Returning to the penthouse, we found an odd sight. That being Wiretap talking with Mint as Molo was stretched out on the other couch, clearly dead drunk unconscious.

Trotting over, Wiretap looked a bit nervous, as it was well past the time she should be wandering around. "Can I ask, why's Wiretap here at this hour."

"It's fine, Lottery, Grizzly knows she's here." Mint informed us.

Wiretap got up, and trotted over to me, her eyes downcast. "I shouldn't have done what I did, but she made me so angry."

Kneeling down, I patted the older filly on the head. "It's alright, I'm not mad. Anyways, I'm not who you should apologize to, you understand." As she nodded, I then saw she had a real pistol on her, if a bit smaller. "So Grizzly finally gave you a real gun?"

She smiled. "Ya, but it's just a .22 pistol, and for just in case something bad happens." Her smile then got wider. "Oh, I got something for you!"

Dashing off, where she would quickly return, and my mouth went slack. Holding it in the air was my rifle, Last Dance, its barrel made straight again. "I went and got it fixed."

Taking the rifle, everything was where it should be, though the barrel was clearly a replacement. Still it was good to see my rifle back. "Thanks, Wiretap."

"No problem. When You were hurt, I wanted to do something to cheer you up, then I saw Last Dance." She explained.

Putting the rifle down on the coffee table, I then sat next to Mint. "Well I guess not everything has gone bad." My eyes then drifted to Molo. "How's she?"

Mint sighed. "Blacked out drunk and passed out. She's going to be fine physically, but mentally it's hard to tell. Probably best if I look after her for a while, once her hangover passes."

"Please do. I can't explain why, but I'm really worried about her." I requested.

Mint smiled, "she's lucky to have a friend like you."

I shook my head. "No, I'm lucky to have a friend like her. I'd still be working at the Red Light Showroom if not for her."

A yawn then forced its way out of me, which passed to Wiretap.

This got Mint to chuckle, "you should get some sleep, Wiretap too. I got things covered here."

I couldn't argue with her about it, I was starting to feel really drowsy. "Alright, but before I go, I want to say this. I think I'm ready to talk about my… situation."

"Then come to me whenever you have time." She told me.

Cold Trails then trotted over to the bar grabbing a jug of water. "Same here. But take care of yourself first."

Getting up, I retired to my room, Wiretap joining me.

The sweet embrace of a proper bed greeted me, and I almost passed out right there.

"Lottery?" Wiretap spoke up, having taken a bead herself.

"Ya?" I answered back.

"If… if we don't win, what do you think will happen? Will mom be okay? Will I?" She asked me.

Images of suffering ran through my mind, things I rather not share with the young mare. "I don't know. Likely Grizzly will take you and Sparkling, then run for it. I doubt your father has any special feelings for you, and if he does, I'm not sure it's enough to convince him to change his ways."

"So he really is evil then." She said with a sigh.

"Maybe." I said, feeling unsure about that answer, so I decided to elaborate. "But I do know that he feels like he should be in control, that no other pony is worthy of it. And when you think your always right and everypony else is always wrong, I guess it makes it easier to be cruel."

"Wh… what is your father like?" She then asked.

"My Pa." There was so much to say, yet one thing about him stuck out. "He's strict but fair. Always made sure I understood why I needed to listen to him, even if he had to beat me into understanding. But in the end I refused to listen, and caused all this mess. I'm sure I have a beating waiting for me when I get home. But only because he cares, and worries. Then we'll go hunting, enjoying the silence of the wasteland together."

"I don't like the beating part of that, it sounds terrible, and like Mom." Wiretap huffed.

"I guess if you truly love somepony, you're willing to hurt them to protect them." I said, and then yawned as I began to drift to sleep.

Wiretap huffed and then yawned. "Ya, I guess. Mom can be mean, but only when I run off to do something dangerous. Then she cries, and hugs me. Or cries by herself."

She mumbled something else, but I could understand it as the two of us drifted to sleep.

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